The opening week of live harness racing action at Hoosier Park Racing & Casino saw measurable success on all fronts. Excitement pervaded throughout the grandstand as large, enthusiastic crowds welcomed the 20th season of harness racing back to the seven-eighths mile oval.
On the racing front, ABC Mercedes and driver Trace Tetrick both returned to their winning ways as they wired the field in the co-featured event, a $24,000 Invitational Trot. The eight-year-old gelding reached the front and never looked back before stopping the clock in 1:55.4.
Ricky Macomber Jr. and I Trust You followed suit on the pacing side of things and benefitted from fast early fractions to capture the $24,000 Invitational Pace in 1:52.4. Trained by Ron Burke, I Trust You brushed home in :28.4 to post the first win of his 2013 season.
Hoosier Park’s track surface, with the addition of a brown limestone material, proved to be in mint condition for the opening week of live racing. The track, now a noticeably darker colour, has been meticulously groomed by Hoosier Park’s track superintendent, Jimmy Shelton, and received rave reviews from all who encountered it.
“The track is in great shape right now considering the weather we’ve had lately,” Trace Tetrick noted. “I think it will only continue to get better and I look for it to be extremely fast and very durable throughout the meet. The entire track crew has done a great job with all of their improvements to the surface.”
The wagering front also saw much success and offered remarkable value to the horseplayer with the introduction of a signature Pick 4 wager and an improved racing product. The bettors came out in full force through the first week of wagering as the handle increases were felt both on track and through export wagering.
Through the first five nights of racing, Hoosier Park has seen an overall increase of 33 per cent in all sources wagering over the corresponding week in 2012.
“Through the first week, I am genuinely excited about the progress we are seeing on most fronts,” said Rick Moore, Hoosier Park’s general manager of racing. “The reality is that one week doesn’t make an entire meet, but if this opening week is any indication of the season to come, we are hopeful for a very successful meet.
“The prolonged winter has made it difficult for horseman to get ready,” he continued. “But, we are grateful to the horsemen who have supported us thus far and hope they will continue to support our efforts at the entry box as we continually work to improve our racing product for the racing fans.”
Live racing at Hoosier Park will follow a Tuesday-Saturday schedule, with a daily post time of 5:30 p.m. The 160-day all harness racing meet will be conducted through November 9.
(Hoosier Park)